Lung pain while jogging can make you think twice about your choice of exercise. Do not assume your symptoms are a normal consequence of physical exertion. You may have exercise-induced asthma, which is a treatable condition. Once treated, you can jog without painful symptoms. Consult with your doctor for a proper diagnosis.
Identification
Chest pain and tightness is only one symptom associated with exercise-induced asthma. You also experience coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath and fatigue. Your symptoms usually start shortly after beginning to jog and become more severe about 5 to 15 minutes after you stop jogging. If you have asthma attacks triggered by other things, exercise is very common trigger. In some cases of asthma, it's the only trigger for an attack. If you're out-of-shape, your symptoms will be more severe than a well-conditioned athlete.
Cause
Your lungs start to hurt when you begin jogging because you're breathing in air that is colder and dryer than the air in your lungs. This cold and dry air causes the airways of your bronchial tree to shrink as they become inflamed and produce extra mucus, which contributes to the breathing problems. Activities such as jogging make you breathe harder. The colder the air is, the worse your symptoms are going to be. While jogging, your body's demand for oxygen increases, causing you to take large gulps of air through the mouth instead of the nose. The nose functions as a warming, filtering and moisturizing device for incoming air, Forcing the irritating air directly through your mouth worsens EIA. Air pollution, high pollen and a respiratory infection can also worsen EIA symptoms.
Treatment
A short-acting inhaled beta-agonist is usually effective at controlling and preventing symptoms. If a short-acting inhaler is taken 15 minutes before you jog, it can control your symptoms for up to four hours. A long-acting inhaled beta-agonist can be taken at least 30 minutes before exercise to control your symptoms for up to 12 hours. However, a long-acting inhaler can lose its effective if taken daily. Inhaled corticosteroids and leukotriene modifiers are also long-term medications for EIA. If you notice your symptoms are worse during allergy season, antihistamines, an allergy shot or omalizumab can help control allergy symptoms.
Prevention
Warm up for 15 minutes by walking before jogging. Jog in a humid environment, such as a trail by a lake or river. If the temperatures are low or pollen and air pollution is high, stay indoors and jog on a treadmill. Breathe through your nose while jogging. Avoid respiratory infections by frequently washing your hands and avoiding close contact with people who appear sick. Always take your medications as prescribed. If you continue to experience lung pain while jogging, consult with your doctor. You can also try swimming since this offers a warm, moist environment, which is less irritating to the airways while exercising.
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